Wall opening construction



March 4, 1941. 1 DWQRETZ WALL OPENING CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 24, 1958 lNV O7Zsepb .Dworezz BY zTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT OFF-ICE WALL OPENING CONSTRUCTION Joseph Dworetz, New York, N. Y.

Application August 24,

5 Claims.

My invention relates generally to building construction. More particularly, my invention relates to novel constructions for wall openings.

One of the objects of my invention is to pro- 5 vide an improved one-piece metal frame for a wall opening of the character described, which is so constructed and arranged that the usual type of molding and plaster terminal members may be dispensed with, thereby avoiding the tendency of welded or otherwise connected parts to become loosened, with the consequent breaking of the plaster.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved wall opening construction of the character described having an improved onepiece metal frame in conjunction with improved means for anchoring the same to adjacent wall portions surrounding the openings.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a metal frame construction for wall openings of the character described which shall comprise relatively few and simple parts, which is easy to construct and install and which, at the same time, possesses a high degree of efficiency for the purposes intended.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the fea- 3 tures of construction, combinations of elements,

and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the claims.

5 In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown one of the various possible embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the wall opening with a portion broken away to disclose 40 the metal frame of my invention attached there- Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to Fig. Z'but showing a modified form of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating my invention as applied to a different type of wall opening, such as an archway;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially 'on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of my invention as applied to a I different type of opening, such as a window; and 55 Fig.- 7 is a cross-sectionalview similar to Fig.

1938, Serial No. 226,431

4 but illustrating still another modified form of my invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, I have disclosed my invention, in Figs. 1 and 2, as applied to a door opening in which wooden mem- '5' bers or studs 2| are employed surrounding the opening. I employ a metal frame member constructed in accordance with my invention which comprises a pair of vertically disposed side sections 1 l interconnected by a top section I2. Such interconnection may be effected by any suitable means such as mitering the corners of adjacent sections and welding the same in position, as shown. While in the drawing I have illustrated my invention as applied to a rectangular shaped wall opening, it is understood that my invention may be satisfactorily employed in connection with any other shaped wall opening. Each of the frame sections II and 12 are made of a single sheet of suitable metallic material stamped, pressed or otherwise formed so as to be of generally channel-shaped cross section, having a web portion I4 defining the opening I0, said web portion being formed with an outwardly projecting portion [5 designed to serve as a doorstop. The web portion l4 terminates at its outer ends in rounded nose portions I6 to which there is integrally joined the flange portions l'l disposed at an angle of substantially 45 degrees to the plane of the web M. The said flange portions I! are integral with and lead into flange portions I8 which lie in a plane substantially parallel to opposite surfaces of the studs 2|, and substantially at right angles to the plane of the web I4. v For permanently fixing the frame member in 35 position there is provided openings IS in the flange portions l8, through which there is adapted to pass suitable'fastening members such as screws, bolts or nails 20, as shown in. the drawing, said nails being embedded in the studs 2|. It is thus seen that the frame member is caused to be firmly held in position on the stud 2| so that when the door strikes against the lip or stop l5, the shock will not dislodge the frame member from the surrounding wall. It is also noted that the web I4 of the frame extends beyond the stud 2| on both sides thereof for a predetermined distance and then is brought inwardly to lie against the stud 2| as hereinbefore de scribed. The space between the outermost surface of the noses Hi and the. surfaces of the stud 2| adjacent the flange portions l8 may be filled with a plastic material, such as plaster, in the usual manner known to the art. There is thus provided a neat appearing wall surrounding the opening ID, in which no molding members are necessary to trim the corners formed by the walls of plaster. Thus, there is eliminated the possibility of dust collecting areas and at the same time, a rigid and sturdy construction is provided for the frame. It is also noted that the nose portions 16 tend to strengthen the frame and to prevent distortion thereof due tothe jarring action which occurs when closing a door.

, To more firmly attach the frame to the stud 2|, the angularly disposed flange portions [1 are provided with spaced apertures through which the plaster P from the walls passes to enter the area between the frame and the stud 2 i.

In Figs. 3, 4 and 5 I have shown my invention as applied to a wall opening in which, instead of the wooden studs 2|, the material surrounding the opening Ill may be of bricks 21', concrete or similar material. In Fig. 3 my invention is shown as applied to a door opening, whereas in Fig. 4 the invention is shown as applied to an archway of any desired shape. The principle of the invention in both of these forms is the same except that in Fig. 4, there is no lip or door stop provided, the web portion 14 thereof being a uniform flat surface. In the Figs. 3, 4 and 5 form of my invention;the frame parts are constructed in the same manner as that described in connection with the Figs. 1 and 2 form of my invention except that the distance between the flanges I8? may be greater to accommodate the greater thickness of the brick wall. Instead of attaching the flange portions directly to the surrounding wall 2|, I provide anchor members which are suitably spaced'along the longitudinal axis of the frame parts. Each of the said anchor members 30 comprises a flat sheet of metallic material having a flared or enlarged end portion 33a and a longitudinal body portion 39b extending therefrom. The flared portion 30a is designed to conform substantially to the shape of the inner surface of the frame, as shown, and is preferably of flat construction, whereas the body portion 30b is corrugated transversely of the length thereof by a series of corrugations 39C. The anchor members are inserted between layers of brick 2.l at predetermined spaced portions, or the same may be embedded in the concrete at predetermined spaced portions from each other. It is noted that the corrugations 390 of the anchor member 3!] will rigidly hold the same in position, while the flared portion 3% will hold the frame .in attached relationship to the surrounding wall. In this form of my invention, as inthe Figs. 1 and 2 form of my invention, a layer of plaster P may be applied asshown, the said plaster passing through the apertures 25 to more firmly attach the frame and the anchor member 30 to the wall. It is noted that in Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown the plaster wall P so arranged that a portion of the nose IE will be. exposed to furnish a more decorative effect. Ifdesired, however, the same type of plaster construction may be employed in the Figs. 3 to 5 form of invention as that shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the method of attaching the door D to the frame. As clearly shown, the flange 41 ofthe hinge H is fixed to the door in the customary manner While the corresponding flange 420i the hinge H is fastened to the frame. In order to prevent undue strain on the material of, the frame adjacent the point of at a m nt o theh n a i f r i ipe? ma be. fixed to. he. nner. de rame..,as

shown. There is also provided the usual form of lip l5 similar to the lip [5 in the Fig. 2 form of my invention.

In Fig. 6 I have shown my invention as applied to a window opening. In this form, the metal frame member comprises a flat portion 50 terminating at one end thereof in a nose portion 58a, which in turn is integrally connected to an angularly disposed portion 5%, the said last named portion terminating in a flange 500 designed to contactively engage the surface of the frame F surrounding the window. The flange portion Elle is provided with a series of apertures 5| adapted to receive therethrough any suitable fastening members, such as the nails 52 which are embedded in the frame F. A suitable plaster layer- 53 is provided which may be flush with the outer surface of the nose 56a or slightly offset therefrom. The flange portion 50b is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 54 through which the plaster 5.3 is adapted to pass to more firmly hold the frame in position. The free end of the frame portion 50 may be retained in position by a fastening member such as a nail '55 passing therethrough and. embedded in the frame F, as shown, or any other suitable means for retaining the free .end of the portion 50 in proper p sitiQn may be employed. It is thus seen that in this form of the invention, no finishing moldings are required for the corner of the wall formed by the plaster.

In Fig. 7 I have shown my invention as applied to a modified form of wall opening. In this form, the frame sections are constructed in substantially the same form as disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5, comprising the Web I34 and the flange portions I1 and I8", said web terminating at its outer ends in rounded nose portions I6. The portions H" are provided with apertures 25" while the flange portions I8" are provided with openings I9. However, instead of the stud 21 or the brick or concrete walls 2|, there is employed an angle member 66, surrounding the wall opening. In this form ofmy invention, the

frame is anchored in position by means of a wire member 6| having a portion filttformed-into a loop after being passed through the openings 19" and another portion Gib adjacent the free ends of the loop being twisted. The twisted portion 61b passes through an opening 65 in one leg of the angle member 60. Plaster P completely surrounds the member 60, covering the wiremember 61. as wellas the-flange portions l1" and i8 and passing through the apertures 25". It is noted the outer surfacesof the-plaster is substantially flush with. the points of junction of the web I4" and flange portions: H".

It will thusbe seen. that; there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention areachieved, and-which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, andv as various changes might be. made: in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be-understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in theaccompanyingdrawing is 1 to be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting-sense.

Having thus described myinvention, I. claim as new and'desireto secureby Letters Patent:

1. A metal frame for openingsin aplastercoated. wall comprising a. member generally channel-shaped in, cross-section; and. so formed out of a single sheet;- of flat-.material as,- to; pro.- vide a pair of flanges, an'interconnecting; web,

and rounded noses of relatively large radius at the junction of said flanges and said web, the major external portion of said noses being adapted to be free from plaster, portions of said flanges being disposed at less than a right angle to the plane of said Web, said last named flange portions being adapted to serve as plaster terminals, whereby the space back of said noses between said flanges and said web will be free from plaster.

2. A metal frame for wall openings in a plastercoated wall comprising a member generally channel-shaped in cross-section, said member being formed out of a single sheet of flat material and including a web, a flange, and a rounded nose of relatively large radius at the junction of said web and said flange, the major external portion of said nose being adapted to be free from plaster, a portion of said flange being disposed at less than a right angle to the plane of said web, said portion being adapted to be used as a plaster terminal, whereby the space back of said nose between said flange and said web will be free from plaster.

3. A Wall construction of the character described, comprising a wall having a plastic covered exterior and defining an opening, a metal frame for said opening, said metal frame being generally of channel-shaped cross-section and formed out of a single sheet of flat material so as to provide a pair of flanges, an interconnecting web, and rounded noses of relatively large radius at the junction of said flanges and said Web, the space in back of said noses between said flanges and said web being free from plaster, portions of said flanges intermediate the ends thereof being disposed at less than a right angle to the plane of said web, said plastic coating terminating at and covering said flanges, a large external portion of said noses being free from plaster.

4. A wall construction of the character described, comprising a Wall portion having a plastic coating and defining an opening, a metal frame for said opening, said metal frame being generally of channel-shaped cross-section and formed out of a single sheet of flat material so as to provide a pair of flanges, an interconnecting web, and rounded noses of relatively large radius at the junction of said flanges and said web, the space in back of said noses between said flanges and said web being free from plaster, portions of said flanges intermediate the ends thereof being disposed at less than a right angle to the plane of said web, and portions adjacent the free ends of said flanges being substantially parallel to said wall portion, said plastic coating terminating at and covering said flanges and a small portion of said noses, the major portion of said noses being free from plaster, the space underlying said web between said noses being also free from plaster.

5. A wall construction of the character described, comprising a wall portion of predetermined thickness having a plastic coating on opposite sides thereof and defining an opening for an archway or a door, a metal frame for said opening, said frame being generally of channelshaped cross-section and formed out of a sheet of flat material so as to provide a pair of flanges, an interconnecting web and rounded noses of relatively large radius at the junction of said web and said flanges, the space in back of said noses between said flanges and said web being free from plaster, said web being of greater width than said wall portion thickness and projecting beyond both sides of said wall portion, portions of said flanges intermediate the ends thereof being disposed at less than a right angle to the plane of said web whereby the free ends of said flanges are disposed adjacent the opposite sides of said Wall portion underneath said plaster, said free ends being substantially parallel to said wall portion sides, said plastic coatings terminating at and covering said flanges and a small portion of said noses, the major portion of said noses being free from plaster, the space underlying said web between said noses being also free from plaster.

JOSEPH DWORETZ. 

